Engineering Research institute

Engineering Research institute “VIRAC” helps client to come from innovative idea till the finished product, using given advantages of CAD/CAM/CAE technologies.

The competence of Ventspils Protolab laboratory is the process:
idea – concept sketches – 3d modelling – prototype – finished 3d model and drawing which afterwards leads to manufacturing and finished product.

The main advantage of Protolab Network is the possibility to offer services helping client on the path from idea till finished product, using services provided by Engineering Research institute “VIRAC” laboratories (prototyping, electronics, telecommunication and mathematical modelling) and Protolab partners (OBII and TSP).

The other departments in our Engineering Research institute “VIRAC” and their competences:
Mathematic Modelling
The Department of Mathematic Modelling deals with modelling of industrial set-ups, economical and business processes. The department uses the up-to-date methodology, as well as individual approach for each client and their needs.

Applied Electronics and Bluetooth
The Department carries out the development of Bluetooth products and testing of electronic and electrical engineering products by using its Bluetooth and applied electronics equipment and software.

Telecommunication Products Development
The vision of the department is to collaborate with universities from Latvia and EU in creation of new education programmes and courses, as well as to collaborate with production companies from the Baltic States and EU in developing new services and products in voice and data transfer, as well as development and verification of new, sophisticated systems.

The services of Ventspils Protolab Laboratory can be divided in 3 categories:

1. The services of Computer Aided Design (CAD) and Computer Aided Engineering (CAE)

– 3D designing of parts and constructions (using latest SolidWorks, Unigraphics NX, 3ds Max and other professional software)
– Creation of design documentation (drawings, specifications, etc.)
– Simulation of movement. We can use Motion Analysis for accurately simulating and analyzing the effects of motion elements (including forces, springs, dampers, and friction ) on an assembly. Motion Analysis uses computationally strong kinematic solvers, and accounts for material properties as well as mass and inertia in the computations. We can also use Motion Analysis to plot simulation results for further analysis.
– Production of spatial images
– Analysis of part design. Design safe, efficient, and economical products.
– Designing of moulds
– Training and retraining of designers and engineers (SolidWorks, Unigraphics NX, CADStar and other specialities)

2. The services of Rapid Prototyping
– Printing coloured composite material, elastomer or ABS plastic physical prototypes of the necessary part. Application: prototypes, functional testing, presentation models, investment casting, geospatial, education, healthcare.

Spectrum Z510
The Spectrum Z510 Full Color System produces high-definition, full-color prototypes quickly and affordably. Superior inkjet printing technology creates parts with crisply defined features, enhanced accuracy, and precise color, so you can print and evaluate physical models of design concepts in their nearly finished state.

protolab network ZCorp

Rapid 3D printing of high-definition models means you no longer have to wait for prototypes. This unique, 24-bit color, 3D printing capability produces color models that accurately reflect your original design data. Color models communicate more information than any other type of rapid prototype, providing you with a strategic advantage in product development.
Only Z Corporation’s 3D printers are capable of printing in multiple colors. Other 3D printers billing themselves as color capable are in fact monochrome machines that can only print one color at a time, requiring the user to laboriously assemble various monochrome parts into something that resembles a full color model.

Specification:
Part max size 254 x 356 x 203 mm
Layer thickness 0.089-0.203 mm
Material options – high performence composite and elastomeric
Color resolution 600 x 540 dpi
Printer software accepts solid models in STL, WRML, PLY, and 3DS file formats as input. But as we have a special software for file conversion, we are able to accept more than 200 file formats.

Dimension Elite
The Dimension Elite is ideal for printing intricate 3D product mockups and functional models of parts such as medical devices, mobile electronics and precision instruments. You’ll get your models in hours, not days.

The new Dimension Elite 3D Printer uses new stronger ABS plus™ plastic to produce durable component parts that can be snapped, screwed and fitted together right at your desk. ABSplus is on average 40 percent stronger than standard ABS material, making it ideally suited for testing the form, fit and function of inherently fragile, fine-featured models. So now you and your design team will be able to build stronger and more detailed working models in no time flat.

Using ABSplus™ production-grade thermoplastic, the Elite prints models from the bottom up with precisely deposited layers of modeling and support material. There’s no waiting for models to “cure” — they’re hard right out of the printer. A water-based solution removes the support material to complete your detailed design. Then models can be drilled, tapped, sanded and painted.
The result: Fewer design changes, better product designs, lower production costs and a shorter time to get your product to market.

Specification:
Material ABS plus available in different colours.
Part max. size 203 x 203 x 305 mm
Layer thickness 0.178 or 0.254 mm

3. The services of Reverse Engineering
– 3D laser scanning of mechanical items (allows to get a digital model of physical item)

Roland Picza LPX 600 and Creaform EXAscan
Producing high-resolution digital data using an advanced non-contact laser sensor and high quality optics to capture parts. The combination of precision laser optics and motion control within a rigid enclosure lets design engineers produce high quality scans with minimal surface noise.

Laser scanner is perfect for a wide variety of CAD and computer graphics applications, including capturing complex data for hand-held consumer products, blister package design, hand-sculpted characters for feature animation and a host of biomedical applications. Scanner can generate a detailed, high resolution 3D model with watertight surfaces.

Specification:
Resolution in x, y, z axis 0.05 mm (0.002 in)
Accuracy Up to 40 µm (0.0016 in)
Volumetric Accuracy 20µm + 0.1 L /1000

It’s able to store scanned part as STL, OBJ or similar file.